Iranian Lawmaker Warns Of Dire Climate Impact

Babak Negahdari, the head of the Research Center of the Iranian Parliament, has issued alarming statements regarding Iran's climate crisis.

Negahdari revealed that over the last half-century, rainfall in the nation has decreased by 50 millimeters. Furthermore, he disclosed that “61.7 percent of Iran's land is currently grappling with drought.”

Addressing delegates at the seventh International Climate Change Conference in Tehran, Negahdari emphasized on Monday the comprehensive impact of climate change, stressing that it permeates across various sectors.

“The serious consequences of climate change affect issues such as food security, ecosystems, energy security, and more.”

Negahdari also underscored a trend of rising temperatures. He warned that if unchecked, climate change could precipitate a staggering $23 trillion economic decline by 2050.

The severity of the ongoing drought crisis was earlier highlighted by the CEO of the Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Hashem Amini, who disclosed a significant decline in Iran's renewable water resources. From approximately 130 billion cubic meters a decade ago, the resources have dwindled to around 100 billion cubic meters.

Amini cautioned that dwindling surface water reserves are increasing reliance on underground water sources, exacerbating issues such as land subsidence.

Reports indicate that the Iranian government has been less than transparent about the extent of the land subsidence crisis related to decreasing levels of underground water, with documents suggesting deliberate concealment of information.

Official statements confirm that 49 percent of Iran's population, equivalent to 39 million individuals, are at risk due to land subsidence. Notably, Tehran and Khorasan Razavi provinces face heightened vulnerability, with the situation particularly dire in the metropolitan area of Esfahan.